Thursday, April 12, 2012

As I previously posted, NSM-AZ spent Wednesday morning cleaning up a part of the desert in the Vekol Valley drug corridor south of Interstate 8. Apparently, I was just getting started on what would be an amazing adventure that finally concluded yesterday afternoon.

120405070 Recovered Stolen Vehicle RECOVERED VEHICLE-STOLEN OTHERIncident Address : N HIDDEN VALLEY RD & W CENTURY RD MARICOPATime Reported: 11:42Time Occurred between: 11:36:53 04/05/12 - 11:37:20 04/05/12Cad Info: OFF DEAD END ON W CENTURY. GO TO THE POWER LINE RD AND GO ABOUT 100 YARDS DOWN. VEHICLE IS DOWN IN A WASH. HAS A WHOLE BUNCH OF CAMOFLAGE MATERIAL AROUND IT. PLATE SHOWING ON THE VEHICLE IS #, COMING BACK ON A 1996 ACURA. RP SAYS THAT VEHICLE IS A GMC YUKON. 10-29 NEG. THIS VEH IS A 10-40 CAN YOU CONFIRM. VEH WAS USED FOR 3405. 52 2. ADV 1X5 THAT THE VEH WAS CONFIRMED. LONE COYOTE TOWING ETA 20-25 ENRT FOR THE VEHICLE. 900 WAS ASKED TO SEND TELETYPE TO PHX PD TO NOTIFY RO

At 5:00AM Friday morning, I departed for a three day trip to the Barry M. Goldwater Range south of Welton, AZ for a recon of the area, including the Tinajas Altas and Gila Mountains. For three days, there was no excitement or incidents. We made contact with the Border Patrol several times Friday morning and they informed us that the area was "hot". I dropped my friend off to hike the ranges to Interstate 8 and I would not see the Border Patrol again. Being Easter weekend, I didn't see many people at all. The military was still flying jets over the range, though.

I discovered some old illegal alien sign on Saturday afternoon. All I found was a backpack and a disposable razor. They were deteriorated and had been there for quite some time.

Early Easter Sunday (5:30AM), I was out of ice and decided to break camp and make my way into Welton, which was north of my location to stock up on ice and have a Jumbo Jack with Curly Fries. I encountered some loose sand and found myself stuck and unable to continue on my excursion to town. I was in the middle of the Cipriano Pass. Due to the holiday weekend and the remoteness of my location, I knew I would be there for a while before somebody would happen along. Things like this don't worry me that much as I'm overly prepared for most situations.

Although my trip was planned for three days, I had at least a week's worth of food and water on board my vehicle. I also had all of my "battle gear" and extra ammunition, in the event I encountered hostile elements. All travelers in Arizona (or anywhere) should always have extra water and something to eat with them. People can and do become stranded. So, be prepared. Stay alive!

Despite my circumstances, I continued to explore and photograph the area. I also set my camp back up and placed a reflective space blanket on the ground to alert aircraft that something might be amiss. To further alert passers by, I placed a large Rubbermaid tote along the road with improvised arrows made from red tape.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday went by with little or no activity, except for the fighter training above. It wasn't until Tuesday night when things changed.

On Tuesday night (April 9, 2012), a cold front moved in and I experienced strong winds. My tent took a serious beating and finally broke under the stress. Since it wasn't very cold, I simply placed my foam pad, sleeping bag and pillow on top of the remains of my tent and went back to sleep, until the fighters above started making noise and dropped bright flares. I kept a flashlight and my AR-15 handy in the event I had any nocturnal visitors. I eventually went back to sleep after the planes went away.

Sometime after midnight, Bailey began barking at something to the north of my position. I shined my light in that direction and heard a voice. A couple of hikers emerged and I informed them of my situation. They marked my GPS location and continued on their journey. They told me that they would notify somebody once they had a signal.

On Wednesday morning, I took a rope, an 8'x10' tarp, parts from my tent and constructed a temporary shelter. The tarp was one of the items contained in the pack I set up for that search and rescue class I took last fall at Mesa Community College. By this time, people on the "home front" reported me missing and called authorities. Not long after constructing the shelter, a Border Patrol helicopter was spotted flying to the north of my location.

Approximately one hour later, I heard a vehicle approaching and actually recognized it. Friends from multiple groups, including the US Border Guard and the Sonoran Desert Patrol arrived at my location and promptly extracted my vehicle from the wash. We broke camp and departed the area.

If you happen to become stranded, never leave the vicinity of your vehicle. Situations like this might be a little inconvenient, but they never should be fatal. Of course, the hiker I dropped off on Friday morning beat me home.

“I'm a 9th generation American and patriot (1737). My forefathers served in the Pennsylvania Militia. On June 27, 1781, they were called to perform a tour of duty. I'm still protecting freedom and securing the border, 275 years later.” --Harry L Hughes III

Booger

May 21, 2011

Ak Chin Regional Airport

Booger

December 9, 2011

Bonehead

1993-2010

Bailey

March 26, 2011

Bailey

June 15, 2012

Blondie

June 7, 2012

Booger R.I.P.

July 4, 2000 - July 19, 2013

Quotations

We can have peace and security only as long as we band together to preserve that most priceless possession, our inheritance of European blood, only so long as we guard ourselves against dilution by foreign races. It is time to turn from our quarrels and to build our White ramparts again. This alliance with foreign races means nothing but death to us. It is our turn to guard our heritage..before we become engulfed in a limitless foreign sea.

--Charles A. Lindbergh Readers Digest, Nov. 1939

Rudyard Kipling's Insight

The Wrath of the Awakened Saxon

It was not part of their blood It came to them very lateWith long arrears to make good,When the SAXONS began to hate,

They were not easily moved,They were icy-willing to waitTill every count should be proved

Ere the SAXONS began to hate.Their voices were even and low,Their eyes were level and straight,There was neither sign nor show,

When the SAXONS began to hate.It was not preached to the crowdIt was not taught by the State,No man spoke it aloud,When the SAXONS began to hate.

It was not suddenly bred,It will not swiftly abateThrough the chilled years aheadWhen Time shall count from the dateThat the SAXONS began to hate."

The Strangerby Rudyard Kipling (1908.. but timeless perspective on immigration.)

The Stranger within my gate,He may be true or kind,But he does not talk my talk—I cannot feel his mind.I see the face and the eyes and the mouth,But not the soul behind.

The men of my own stock,They may do ill or well,But they tell the lies I am wonted to,They are used to the lies I tell;And we do not need interpretersWhen we go to buy or sell.

The Stranger within my gates,He may be evil or good,But I cannot tell what powers control—What reasons sway his mood;Nor when the Gods of his far-off landShall repossess his blood.

The men of my own stock,Bitter bad they may be,But, at least, they hear the things I hear,And see the things I see;And whatever I think of them and their likes

They think of the likes of me.This was my father's beliefAnd this is also mine:Let the corn be all one sheaf—

And the grapes be all one vine,Ere our children's teeth are set on edgeBy bitter bread and wine.

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